The past few days have witnessed rapid developments within the corridors of Saudi club Al-Hilal, with international defender Ali Al-Bulaihi now definitively out of the plans of the team's manager, Simone Inzaghi. This decision comes as part of the Italian coach's new tactical vision, which has opted to rely on other players in the heart of the defense, thus bringing to a close the career of one of the most prominent defenders in the club's recent history.
The end of the Iron Dome era
Ali Al-Bulaihi was more than just a fleeting presence in Al-Hilal's squad; he was a cornerstone who contributed to the club's domestic and continental dominance in recent years. Joining Al-Hilal from Al-Fateh, Al-Bulaihi secured his starting position thanks to his fighting spirit and leadership qualities on the pitch. He played a direct role in the team's two AFC Champions League titles, as well as their dominance of the Saudi Professional League in multiple seasons. His historic performance with the Saudi national team at the 2022 World Cup makes his release a shock to the Blue Wave fans.
Reasons for exclusion and artistic vision
Simone Inzaghi forced the veteran defender to leave the team during the current winter transfer window, informing the management that his services were no longer required. Inzaghi is currently relying on a defensive system comprised of Hassan Tambakti, Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssef Akchichik, and Ali Lajami. The coach translated these convictions into action by excluding Al-Bulaihi from the official squads for recent Roshan League matches, specifically against Damac, Al-Kholoud, and Al-Khaleej. The player has only participated in three matches this season, totaling 88 minutes, a tally unbecoming of a player of his stature.
Clubs are vying to sign Al-Bulaihi
As soon as news broke that Al-Bulaihi was no longer in Al-Hilal's plans, several major clubs moved to secure his services. Al-Ittihad emerged as the strongest contender to sign the player to bolster their defense, which has recently suffered from significant absences and injuries. The Jeddah-based club sees Al-Bulaihi as the ideal leader for the upcoming phase. Al-Shabab also entered the negotiations with a strong desire to strengthen their back line in the next transfer window. For its part, Al-Hilal's management gave the player the green light to choose his next destination in appreciation of his sacrifices and achievements for the club, and to facilitate his transfer given the difficulty he faced in getting playing time under Inzaghi's management.
The alternative to the Italian league
Sources revealed that the main reason behind this radical change is Inzaghi's desire to bring in his former Inter Milan defender, Francesco Acerbi, to bolster Al-Hilal's defense. The Italian coach is seeking to fill the gap that will be left by Kalidou Koulibaly's expected absence while he is with the Senegalese national team at the Africa Cup of Nations. He sees Acerbi as the ideal choice to implement his tactical ideas and build attacks from the back, which hastened Al-Bulaihi's departure.
